Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: ADVENTURE.
  • Vessel Type: Steam Barge.
  • Builder: Initially built by Joseph Keeler in Dog Lake, Ontario (1873); Rebuilt by John Davenna in Kingston, Ontario (1884).
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 102 feet and 8/10ths (31.3 m).
    • Breadth: 23 feet and 3/10ths (7.1 m).
    • Depth: 6 feet and 9/10ths (2.1 m).
  • Tonnage:
    • Registered: 156 tons.
    • Final: 160 tons (post-Rebuild).
  • Owner: John Devana (also the master of the vessel).
  • Final Voyage and Sinking:
  • Date: October 13, 1885.
  • Location: Gallop Rapids, near Sparrowhawk Point, St. Lawrence River.
  • Final Disposition: Sank after striking a rock; Total Loss.
  • Casualties: None; all onboard escaped.

Vessel Type

The ADVENTURE was a steam Barge, a hybrid vessel type combining steam power with Barge-like cargo capacity. Its design, featuring a carvel-built wooden Hull, round Stern, and single Deck, reflected its dual purpose of efficiency and resilience.

Description

Constructed in 1873 and Rebuilt in 1884, the ADVENTURE was equipped with a steam engine during its Rebuild, which increased its tonnage and operational range. The vessel primarily served trade routes between Kingston and Montreal, transporting goods such as wheat.

History

Construction and Early Service

Built at Dog Lake, Ontario, in 1873, the ADVENTURE was originally a traditional Barge. It underwent significant modifications in 1884, transforming into a steam Barge. Owner John Devana invested $2,500 into these upgrades, highlighting the vessel’s importance to his operations.

Final Voyage

On October 13, 1885, the ADVENTURE was part of a convoy towed by the Tug TRAVELLER. The convoy also included another Barge, the BEAUPORT. During their journey through the St. Lawrence River near Cardinal, Ontario, disaster struck when the towlines snapped in the strong currents of Gallop Rapids.

The ADVENTURE drifted uncontrollably and struck a rock near Sparrowhawk Point. The vessel quickly began to sink. Captain Pregent, his wife, and three French crew members managed to board the BEAUPORT, avoiding loss of life. The BEAUPORT’s crew, including a cook and three children, safely navigated their Barge to shore.

Loss and Aftermath

The ADVENTURE, valued at $6,000, along with its wheat cargo worth $7,420, was declared a Total Loss. Salvage attempts were hindered by the strong currents of Gallop Rapids. While officials, including M.J. Calvin of the Continental Insurance Co., investigated the site, the vessel remained unrecovered for the remainder of the year.

Legacy

The ADVENTURE’s story exemplifies the hazards of 19th-century navigation in the St. Lawrence River. Despite the vessel’s robust construction and multiple rebuilds, it succumbed to the natural forces of Gallop Rapids. Its loss underscores the challenges of operating in a region with unpredictable waters and treacherous currents.

External Links and References

  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive resource on Great Lakes shipwrecks and history.
  • Department of Marine and Fisheries Records: Official documentation of Canadian maritime incidents.
  • Cleveland Leader Archives: Historical accounts of the ADVENTURE’s loss and related events.

Conclusion

The sinking of the ADVENTURE marked the end of a vessel that had seen extensive service and adaptation. Its legacy remains as part of Canada’s rich maritime history, highlighting the resilience of Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River mariners and the vessels they sailed.